The Path to 2035: A Discussion on Keeping Portland's Charm Amid Growth & Development

Portland continues to experience rapid population growth & increased development, as well as increased conversation around what that means for the future of our city. These conversations are not without controversy: from the preservation of beloved bridge views to the loss of an iconic food cart pod to the redevelopment of landmark sites, the face of Portland is changing to accommodate our growth. For those of us invested in all aspects of the built environment, what responsibility do we have to our past and how do we balance that history with the need for new construction?

Join SMPS for a lively panel discussion about how we as architects, developers, builders, and engineers can work together with the public and policy makers to help our city reach its full potential while still maintaining the heart & soul of what makes Portland, Portland.

Who should attend? Marketers, principals, and those interested in how the AEC community is honoring the history of Portland, as well as those who have faced dilemmas in design approval, zoning, 2035 plan, etc.

Iain MacKenzie, AIA is an Associate at TVA Architects, where he specializes in the design of multifamily housing. After studying architecture in his native Scotland at the University of Edinburgh and the University of Strathclyde, Iain relocated to Portland in 2009. Observing a need for a platform to inform and provide open communication about the region’s architectural and design scene, Iain launched the website nextportland.com in 2014 as a way to bring objective information on Portland design and development to a broader public. The site receives an average of 80,000 page views a month and has thousands of followers on social media. He also is also actively involved in the regional design community and is on the board of Docomomo Oregon, a nonprofit that advocates for the preservation of modernist architecture.

Dave Otte, AIA pursues elegant solutions to clients' programmatic needs, remaining dedicated to designs that are modern, appropriate, and sustainable. His experience over 20 years as an architect on a wide variety of building types has honed his ability to problem solve, communicate, and build consensus with project stakeholders to create places people love.

Dave is recognized for his dedication to making a positive social impact through design. In 2013, he was honored with a BetterBricks Award for outstanding career achievement of building professionals who implement low carbon, high-performance designs. Dave’s work at Holst includes notable projects including the Rockwood Boys and Girls Club, Bud Clark Commons, and the Asian Health and Service Center in Lents. Currently, he is in the beginning stages of designing 3000 SE Powell, the first new affordable housing to be funded by the Portland Housing Bond.

Rachael Hoy has worked for the City of Portland for 14 years. Currently, at the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, she serves as a Senior City Planner on the Central City team. On the Central City team, the work focuses on connecting community partners with the Bureau, serving as a technical advisor to address planning, design and development challenges in Portland’s Central City. Rachael recently managed the update to the Central City Plan through 2035 which will be used to make land use decisions as well as public facility investments for the next 17 years. Rachael has a Master’s Degree in Geography, focusing on Environmental Planning, and over 20 years of experience working in long-range planning, specializing in land use planning, in both rural and urban settings.

Suzanne Stevens was promoted from digital managing editor to editor of the Portland Business Journal in March 2014. She has been with the company since 2010. Prior to the Business Journal, Suzanne spent seven years as a senior editor at The Deal in New York, where she wrote about corporate mergers and acquisitions. Suzanne also spent time as an associate editor at Oregon Business Magazine and 12 years working in public radio at stations in Kentucky and North Carolina, where she was a frequent contributor to National Public Radio.

Brad Malsin approaches development with a deep interest in historic preservation and a focus on community relationships, while providing innovative and flexible working and living spaces. Over the last 24 years, he has played an essential role in developing community-based projects and preserving some of Portland’s cherished historical buildings. Brad has been a leader in the development and transformation of Portland’s Central Eastside, where his company has focused for almost two decades on adaptive reuse, historical preservation, and more recently on dynamic, mixed-use new construction.

With over a dozen development projects in his portfolio, Brad is looking forward to using his experience and expertise to continue to create integrated, creative spaces in the Central Eastside.